The people at the Cole Gallery are breathing a sigh of relief, as a water leak caused thousands of dollars of damage but spared almost all of the artwork.

Owner Denise Cole discovered the damage when she arrived at the gallery, located on 5th between Main and Dayton, around 10 a.m. Saturday. A pipe had broken in an apartment above the two-story gallery, sending a large amount of water into the business’ two floors below. She called staff and friends into help clean up the mess, and she was fortunate that one of her employees, Mara Vostral, was trained in dealing with museum floods.

Cole says in a statement that only one original work of art was damaged by the water. The rest of the damage was to the carpets, art supplies and other materials in the gallery.

The business will be closed for at least a few days. Of course, when Cole Gallery reopens, there will be a Flood Sale!

For more information and to see when Cole Gallery will be back open, you can call 425-697-2787 or e-mail them at info@colegallery.net.

Lewis Park continues to transform into a Natural Area. Thanks to the volunteers from Seattle Pacific University, Jefferson Park Community Center and Temple Beth Am, invasive plants have been removed and replaced with native shrubs, groundcover and trees.

The Lewis Park Steering Committee was awarded, a Department of Neighborhoods Small and Simple Neighborhood Matching Grant to hire a geotechnical firm to do an analysis of the steep slope areas in Lewis Park. Terra Associates, Inc. conducted a visual site reconnaissance, on-site exploration, and review of all available geologic documentation. Parks and Recreation reviewed the report and will incorporate the results in restoration plans for Lewis Park.

The Neighborhood Matching Grant also paid for 1,400 work hours from Earthcorps and the King County Corrections Work Program.

Volunteers continue to restore the more level areas of Lewis Park each Sunday through November. Gloves, tools, water and light snacks are provided and volunteers can participate any time between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Lewis Park continues to transform back into a Natural Area. Thanks to the volunteers from Seattle Pacific University, Jefferson Park Community Center and Temple Beth Am, invasive plants have been removed and replaced with native shrubs, groundcover and trees.

The Lewis Park Steering Committee was awarded,a Department of Neighborhoods Small and Simple Neighborhood Matching Grant to hire a geotechnical firm to do an analysis of the steep slope areas in Lewis Park. Terra Associates, Inc. conducted a visual site reconnaissance, on-site exploration, and review of all available geologic documentation. Parks and Recreation reviewed the report and will incorporate the results in restoration plans for Lewis Park.

The Neighborhood Matching Grant also paid for 1,400 work hours from Earthcorps and the King County Corrections Work Program.

Volunteers continue to restore the more level areas of Lewis Park each Sunday through November. Gloves, tools, water and light snacks are provided and volunteers can participate any time between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Check out these photos of the restoration thanks to Lewis Park Forest Steward Dee.